THE IMPACT OF LEGISLATED EDUCATIONAL REFORMS ON THE ACADEMIC PREPARATION OF ENTERING COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENTS IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA

Abstract

This article examines the impact of the statewide mandatory implementation of increased standards with the enactment of the Recognizing Achievement in Secondary Education (RAISE) Bill in the state of Florida as it related to improved performance on standardized entry‐level tests for community college students. The RAISE Bill, implemented in 1987, increased academic requirements and graduation requirements for all high school students in the state of Florida. Using the Florida Division of Community College's database, the records of entering community college freshmen from 1985‐1986 through 1988‐1989 were analyzed. The data from 1985‐1986 were used as the base year (reflecting the status of scores before the increase in standards) against which subsequent years were compared. The analysis suggests that the impact on academic preparation of entering community college students as measured by standardized entry‐level test scores is negligible. Additionally, there was only a minor variation in scores across gender and race. These findings suggest that state‐mandated standards do not necessarily result in improved academic preparation. Public officials may wish to review policies implemented at the state level, do not give adequate consideration to local conditions.